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Billy Bragg & Wilco — California Stars
Album: Mermaid Avenue
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3106









Released: 1998
Length: 4:54
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars

I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars

I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my California stars

They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I'd give this world just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars

I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars

I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars

I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my California stars

They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I'd give this world just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
Comments (331)add comment
this is one of those rare songs that should be above 10
I don’t know why I love this song. But I do. The whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. 
Needs a chorus or something?
If Jeff Tweedy was any better his name would be Ryan Adams.
 bennie482 wrote:
Reminds me of CA back in the 50-70's when the beaches were a beautiful place and life was much more fun.


A 68 year old friend of mine has a t-shirt that reads "Living through the 60's a second time".
Reminds me of CA back in the 50-70's when the beaches were a beautiful place and life was much more fun.
 joelbb wrote:

California's one claim to fame is that it has excellent publicists.  Otherwise it's overcrowded, broke, under-schooled and typically one mass traffic jam.  CA is the US's least selective club.  There are sooooooooooo many better places in the country.  Only mullets still believe the California mythos.  It worked back when Peter Fonda was "Easy Rider", but the place is currently a bust hoping it doesn't become a homeless burnout, wandering the halls of Washington, DC panhandling its way to its next bottle of cheap wine.


Leave your societal views to stupid Facebook posts or better yet, keep them to yourself - nobody here wants to hear your negative BS diatribe. This is an amazing collaboration using Woodie Guthrie's writings that resulted in a beautiful song. 
Very similar to....

Wilco — Red-Eyed and Blue
https://legacy.radioparadise.com/?name=Music&file=songinfo&song_id=35987
Anything with my home state California in it - I love. 
 idiot_wind wrote:

will see wilco in two nights

hope they rock n roll

need peppy songs for an outside venue

under the stars

California stars? Enjoy

My understanding (and hope) is the lyrics are a double entendre.  Can't bump it above a 10 but that does add to my love of the song, which is about hoping and dreaming.
will see wilco in two nights

hope they rock n roll

need peppy songs for an outside venue

under the stars
one of the best songs of all time!
 amoreena wrote:

Just close your eyes and breathe to this song.  It's heavenly.  Great musicians and words from another era. My kids know to play this song at my celebration of life someday.



What a brilliant choice for your celebration of life! 
 Ipse_Dixit wrote:
Maybe this could be our national anthem after the United States disintegrates?
 

The national anthem for the independent county of California?
If dancing with your partner after making up had a 'sound', this would be it.

Hands on each other's waists. Unsexy moves. Sweatpants. Big smiles. Just delighted to be back on track again!
 jp33442 wrote:
Just bumped this up to 9
 

Usually when I see someone here report what they've rated a tune I think, "Simp."
That hasn't changed.

So I am listening to this new sounding tune - and decide to check and see who it is. Well, it isn’t new and it’s also featuring Wilco. How did I miss this 20 year old tune? Really enjoy the melodies and southern mix on this folk tune.
 (anonymous) wrote:
nuggler wrote:
How does something this *lame* average out at 8....?!! But then again, Bush got his 2nd term so....yep, 2+2=4.... A depressing state of affairs all round......
because it's Wilco AND Billy Bragg!
 
Because it's Wilco, Billy Bragg, AND Woody Guthrie!!!

Gadzooks! I just noticed that I've never rated this... 

8
 Ipse_Dixit wrote:
Sadly, no stars. Just smoke. 
 
YIKES
Words can surely provoke feeling but when in combination with the harmony of musical emotions the essence of that being transpired can be achieved quite effectively
Sadly, no stars. Just smoke. 
Just superb. Good album and a great song.
Maybe this could be our national anthem after the United States disintegrates?
Just close your eyes and breathe to this song.  It's heavenly.  Great musicians and words from another era. My kids know to play this song at my celebration of life someday.
 joelbb wrote:

California's one claim to fame is that it has excellent publicists.  Otherwise it's overcrowded, broke, under-schooled and typically one mass traffic jam.  CA is the US's least selective club.  There are sooooooooooo many better places in the country.  Only mullets still believe the California mythos.  It worked back when Peter Fonda was "Easy Rider", but the place is currently a bust hoping it doesn't become a homeless burnout, wandering the halls of Washington, DC panhandling its way to its next bottle of cheap wine.
 
What an utter and completely ignorant pile of garbage.  Otherism at its worst.  That people think like this is one of the things that lessens this country.  H8ful.
Many times I've gotten to hear them play this live....underneath California stars.  Chills every time.
 jahgirl8 wrote:

Well I just bumped your rating up to 3!
 
Cool glad you did
 jp33442 wrote:
Just bumped this up to 9
 
Well I just bumped your rating up to 3!
 jbuhl wrote:
 justin4kick wrote:
This is very similar to the Shins-song Gone For Good. James Mercer has some explaining to do. 

 

When it first came on I thought for sure it was The Shins.
 

He really does sound like Mercer at points.
 hallogallo wrote:

Very nice!  IMO, it is kind of interesting that it was a Brit who (very capably) took up the mantle of the great troubadour Woody Guthrie.

 
 
I believe he was asked by Guthrie's daughter to write music for lyrics Guthrie had written.
Just bumped this up to 9
 gianluca.trotta wrote:
Radio paradise is very good!{#Yell}{#Pray}
 
No! It's AWESOME! 
I imagine Woodie Guthrie had refugees in mind when he wrote this lovely song..refugees from 1930s dust-bowl afflicted Oklahoma struggling to get to California, where they thought life would better.
 (anonymous) wrote:
nuggler wrote:
How does something this *lame* average out at 8....?!! But then again, Bush got his 2nd term so....yep, 2+2=4.... A depressing state of affairs all round......
because it's Wilco AND Billy Bragg!
 
Pearls before swine.
 chitown wrote:

I wish they would go back to the old format.  It's great to be alive!  
 

Chi town that is why I have given up on commercial radio
 jp33442 wrote:
First heard this song 93 xrt and fell in love with this song
 
I wish they would go back to the old format.  It's great to be alive!  
....the starting guitar strum makes me think of Hurricane Glass by Catherine Feeny ?
 bigbobbybubba wrote:

But that is exactly what you're hearing, truth for what it is, metaphor for what the world should be like....
 
You're absolutely right, my friend, and more eloquently put than my earlier comment.  It's only his voice I don't get.
Radio paradise is very good!{#Yell}{#Pray}
First heard this song 93 xrt and fell in love with this song
reminds me of Mom and Dad moving to Ca. in 50's working to an American Success story. Thanks Dad and thanks Woody for the great song.
 mdnlsn wrote:
The beauty of simplicity and soul. I've sang my daughters to sleep with this song on and off for 10 years. 

 
{#Clap}
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Mr Bragg is rightly held in some esteem for his socially aware politics, but I'm glad I can't hear his contribution here.

 
But that is exactly what you're hearing, truth for what it is, metaphor for what the world should be like....
Mr Bragg is rightly held in some esteem for his socially aware politics, but I'm glad I can't hear his contribution here.
 justin4kick wrote:
This is very similar to the Shins-song Gone For Good. James Mercer has some explaining to do. 

 

When it first came on I thought for sure it was The Shins.
Love this song!  One of the few 10's I've rated.
 hallogallo wrote:

Very nice!  IMO, it is kind of interesting that it was a Brit who (very capably) took up the mantle of the great troubadour Woody Guthrie.

 

 
Not to take anything away from Mr. Bragg but, some guys from Chicago were involved in this project too. 

Not to mention the many, many other artists (from the US and abroad) who have covered Woody over the years (e.g. Pete Seeger, Richie Havens, Bruce Springsteen, The Highwaymen, Donovan, Dylan, The Birds, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jackson Browne, et. al.)
This is very similar to the Shins-song Gone For Good. James Mercer has some explaining to do. 
 mdnlsn wrote:
The beauty of simplicity and soul. I've sang my daughters to sleep with this song on and off for 10 years. 

 
Ditto, along with John Prine's "Paradise".
The beauty of simplicity and soul. I've sang my daughters to sleep with this song on and off for 10 years. 
 ick wrote:

Well, joelbb if you live in California or came to California from somewhere else, you are welcome to leave thereby reducing it's overcrowding by one.  Just think of what we can get done by relieving the state of all the pessimists!   When there was talk of secession by some of the states, I wondered how the rest of the U.S. would fare if California became its own country... yeah, out here on the left coast we're big big panhandlers!  Never mind that California has the highest GDP of any other state in the U.S. which is nearly twice that of any that follow.  Homeless burnouts indeed! 

 
California is not just the crowded coastal area that is the stereotype projected by Hollywood or the poor punters stuck in traffic.  Eastern California is mind-blowing, a different realm. 

Such a huge land mass is not easily reduced to just one or two facets
 idiot_wind wrote:

You can hear the Uncle Tupelo influence...coming from Belleville, IL  

 

  



 
So true.  Excellent reference. This track would have also made the grade on Basement Tapes or Blonde On Blonde
It is an absolute classic
California Stars are good
A great song in the live shows: puts a smile on your face.

Live music is better, bumper stickers should be issued.

{#Clap} 
{#Bananajam}This song just keeps getting better in my ears!
WHEN I LISTEN THIS MUSIC, I FEEL LIKE THE KING OF CALIFORNIA! {#Bananajam}
 Hannio wrote:


I'm sitting naked at my computer.

 
Somebody just likes saying "naked".  See, now you've made me say it.....
great song!  makes me wanna walk along with it, head up high looking at the sky, and trees and all that beauty

You can hear the Uncle Tupelo influence...coming from Belleville, IL  

 

  


All of Wilco's songs on this album are great and this song is the best of the bunch.

Now, Billy Bragg's songs on the other hand...... 



Mermaid Avenue is a 1998 album of previously unheard lyrics written by Woody Guthrie, put to music written and performed by Billy Bragg and Wilco. The project was organized by Guthrie's daughter, Nora Guthrie. Mermaid Avenue was released on June 23, 1998. The project is named after a song "Mermaid's Avenue" written by Guthrie. This was also the street in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York on which Guthrie lived. According to American Songwriter Magazine, "The Mermaid Avenue project is essential for showing that Woody Guthrie could illuminate what was going on inside of him as well as he could detail the plight of his fellow man."




Very nice!  IMO, it is kind of interesting that it was a Brit who (very capably) took up the mantle of the great troubadour Woody Guthrie.

 
Interesting story behind this album I didn't know:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhm27uXG6bg

Love the song! 
Perseids peak tonight, probably some nice places in California to see them.
I've thought California should secede for a number of years now.   
 
joelbb wrote:

California's one claim to fame is that it has excellent publicists.  Otherwise it's overcrowded, broke, under-schooled and typically one mass traffic jam.  CA is the US's least selective club.  There are sooooooooooo many better places in the country.  Only mullets still believe the California mythos.  It worked back when Peter Fonda was "Easy Rider", but the place is currently a bust hoping it doesn't become a homeless burnout, wandering the halls of Washington, DC panhandling its way to its next bottle of cheap wine.
 
Well, joelbb if you live in California or came to California from somewhere else, you are welcome to leave thereby reducing it's overcrowding by one.  Just think of what we can get done by relieving the state of all the pessimists!   When there was talk of secession by some of the states, I wondered how the rest of the U.S. would fare if California became its own country... yeah, out here on the left coast we're big big panhandlers!  Never mind that California has the highest GDP of any other state in the U.S. which is nearly twice that of any that follow.  Homeless burnouts indeed! 
Couched between John Prine (10) and Billy Bragg/Wilco (10) the Eagles kitchy song (I do NOT dislike all of their songs) becomes simultaneously bearable and even more kitchy to me. Still won't rate it (Eagles), as my opinion of them is just to swayed by things other than their music.
 joelbb wrote:

California's one claim to fame is that it has excellent publicists.  Otherwise it's overcrowded, broke, under-schooled and typically one mass traffic jam.  CA is the US's least selective club.  There are sooooooooooo many better places in the country.  Only mullets still believe the California mythos.  It worked back when Peter Fonda was "Easy Rider", but the place is currently a bust hoping it doesn't become a homeless burnout, wandering the halls of Washington, DC panhandling its way to its next bottle of cheap wine.
 
Try to stay aware of the sublime, Joel.  It's everywhere.
 joelbb wrote:

California's one claim to fame is that it has excellent publicists.  Otherwise it's overcrowded, broke, under-schooled and typically one mass traffic jam.  CA is the US's least selective club.  There are sooooooooooo many better places in the country.  Only mullets still believe the California mythos.  It worked back when Peter Fonda was "Easy Rider", but the place is currently a bust hoping it doesn't become a homeless burnout, wandering the halls of Washington, DC panhandling its way to its next bottle of cheap wine.
 
Yeah it's a big country and people should see more of it. But you're falling for the same anti-California mythos that has always been around. It's a spectacularly beautiful, diverse and historically interesting state. With problems. Same as it ever was.
 Clark_Novato wrote:
I'm in love with California in a subtle ways that defy articulation.  The song captures that feeling.
 
California's one claim to fame is that it has excellent publicists.  Otherwise it's overcrowded, broke, under-schooled and typically one mass traffic jam.  CA is the US's least selective club.  There are sooooooooooo many better places in the country.  Only mullets still believe the California mythos.  It worked back when Peter Fonda was "Easy Rider", but the place is currently a bust hoping it doesn't become a homeless burnout, wandering the halls of Washington, DC panhandling its way to its next bottle of cheap wine.
I'm in love with California in a subtle ways that defy articulation.  The song captures that feeling.
In the all-time top-ten make-me-smile songs! {#Daisy}
Played this for my kids on the way to the train station. They took the train to northern California with their grandfather. What an adventure!
 Hannio wrote:


I'm sitting naked at my computer.
 
...but what's your computer wearing?
I'm sitting naked in my computer hoping to find out where the f*&$@ck I left my safety goggles
 Ouachita wrote:

My body is naked now & it was born naked. No matter how I dress up or undress I'm naked. The hours of the early morning find me naked & I find the hours & the morning just as naked as they find me... The best & juiciest of humanly truths are our naked truths. Our fittest honesty is our naked honesty... This is what I call being truthfully democratic. - Woodrow (Woody) Guthrie

 

 

I'm sitting naked at my computer.
Sittin home in VT on a cold cloudy day. RP is makin it sunny and warm. Keep it up. You've turned me on to more good music since I've been listening than in the last 20 years of searchin.

Thanks,

jjtwister

My body is naked now & it was born naked. No matter how I dress up or undress I'm naked. The hours of the early morning find me naked & I find the hours & the morning just as naked as they find me... The best & juiciest of humanly truths are our naked truths. Our fittest honesty is our naked honesty... This is what I call being truthfully democratic. - Woodrow (Woody) Guthrie

 


I always think of this as the "boom-chick-cha-cha-cha" song.
I've loved this song for years.  Played it ad nauseum, in fact.  Just bought the album two nights ago.  Still digging into it, but I like what I hear so far.  : )
 daveshel4 wrote:
best song from this great album.
 
Agree 100%. Wilco and Bragg make a great combo. 
lysisphere wrote:
I could have written this. When I was 9. Or drunk.  


coyotexxx2 wrote:


Takes big cojones to compare yourself with Woody Guthrie.
 
Ouch!

best song from this great album.
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I went and gave it a 10. This song makes me that happy.
 

{#Yes}
if music execs think that internet radio is bad for sales, they should take a look at my iTunes/Amazon download bill. I have a folder set up in iTunes called Hot Tunes from RP and I'm slowly building my own RP playlistrt6
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I went and gave it a 10. This song makes me that happy.
 
Is BillFromCalifornia Good or WHAT {#Bounce}
So simple and so beautiful.  9
I went and gave it a 10. This song makes me that happy.
 lysisphere wrote:
I could have written this.  When I was 9.  Or drunk. 
 

Takes big cojones to compare yourself with Woody Guthrie.
 WayUpNorth wrote:

           takes me there, too  {#Sunny} maybe i'll see ya {#Wave}
 

Strap on the headphones, sit by a fire and sip a glass of friendly wine on a cool night.  It will truly soothe your soul.
 lysisphere wrote:
I could have written this.  When I was 9.  Or drunk. 
 

But you will, Lysisphere, you will. 

Wilco - California Stars, Live Rockpalast (1999)

"Jay Bennett - Rest in Peace friend. We enjoyed your time here."        Capsize22

 

My favorite version of this song. I've always thought this version of Wilco was the best as it was roots rock steady with a flair. In my opinion and though I still love Wilco, they have become a wee bit "prog".     paxman1965




 lysisphere wrote:
I could have written this.  When I was 9.  Or drunk. 
 
Then would you please write a few more like this, because this is really good. 

 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

I rated it 8. Sorry for holding the score down.
 
9 now. If it had more Billy it'd be 10 I think.

 

Following your lead 8 -> 9.
 LennytheB wrote:
This is okay, but I can't understand an average of 8 for it.
 
I rated it 8. Sorry for holding the score down.
 
9 now. If it had more Billy it'd be 10 I think.

Billy Bragg's the dog's bollocks, Wilco is a dog's breakfast. Let's hear some Billy, please, Bill and Becky, and a little less Wilco.
This is okay, but I can't understand an average of 8 for it.

billy bragg: the imagined village by Bryan Ledgard
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ledgard/

This photo was taken on August 2, 2008 using a Nikon D200

Copyright All rights reserved


This song was a big hit at my wedding.  I'll always remember my mother in law and father in law dancing together to it. 
sam roberts?
 linden wrote:

Since Woody Guthrie was one of the world's greatest songwriters, I don't understand why you're withholding your awesome talent from the rest of us.

 
LOL!


"Art Is Resistance"

Quite nice in a Stonesish kind of way, with some more bite it'd earn that 8.
Remarkable.  Never heard this before.  Thanks for the intro Bill.
 lysisphere wrote:
I could have written this.  When I was 9.  Or drunk. 
 
Since Woody Guthrie was one of the world's greatest songwriters, I don't understand why you're withholding your awesome talent from the rest of us.

I could have written this.  When I was 9.  Or drunk. 
 Hannio wrote:
The average rating of this is 8?  I need my hearing tested, I quess.

 

 

Almost 1000 listeners have rated this song ... so, as the politicians say:

"American families have spoken" {#Smile}


 Hannio wrote:
The average rating of this is 8?  I need my hearing tested, I quess.
 
No kidding. me, too! {#Think}


 Hannio wrote:
The average rating of this is 8?  I need my hearing tested, I quess.

 

Well, it is a great song and I am glad that you appreciate that too, but I can't quite give it a 9 or 10. Those are reserved for my all time favs. I think 8 is appropriate.{#Clap}
 Imkirok wrote:
Three California songs in a row (The Last Resort from Hotel California, King of California, and California Stars.)  Bill, are we having a little identity complex this morning?
 
Wellll, 'The Last Resort' does mention a place called Paradise...  {#Wink}
Nothin like a little Wilco to start the day Love it!
The average rating of this is 8?  I need my hearing tested, I quess.

 planet3one9 wrote:
this song is beautiful - and that's about all that needs to be said.  i takes me to a gorgeous place.  perfect.  
 
           takes me there, too  {#Sunny} maybe i'll see ya {#Wave}
 rtrudeau wrote:

Okay, people, is it just me — or do any of calypsus_1's comments make any sense at all?

 
I think the comments by calypsus are the best part of this venue, but then again I never tire of 'this is good for the ears' either {#Good-vibes}
 rtrudeau wrote:

Okay, people, is it just me — or do any of calypsus_1's comments make any sense at all?

 

They do, if you speak the language!!
Me like Contrary rock...yes?
I love Wilco but this song has left me cold